Here! Here! Happy Happy Happy Birthday Karen. Jela, shall we get her to sip some wine or a nice winter ale in celebration? Ahh, maybe some mulled cider would be more to her liking. However it goes, we shall definitely raise a glass to her continued health and happiness.

Karen, may this year present you with an abundance of laughter, music, and the company of dear friends and loved ones.

Sue Ellen

"...I implore you, I entreat you, I challenge you to speak with conviction, to say what you believe, in a manner that bespeaks the determination with which you believe it, because contrary to the wisdom of the bumper sticker, it is not enough these days to "question" authority, you have to speak with it, too." Taylor Mali, "Like, You Know?"

Thanks, everyone! The birthday wishes are much appreciated. What a lucky girl I am to know you all. You're right Patti, I was out celebrating. And Jela.....you're right too.....***ty is the new forty.

KarenZ

"Some people are born to make great art and others are born to appreciate it. It is a kind of talent in itself, to be an audience, whether you are the spectator in the gallery or you are listening to the voice of the world's greatest soprano. Not everyone can be the artist. There have to be those who witness the art, who love and appreciate what they have been privileged to see." -- Ann Patchett in Bel Canto.

Hmm. She didn't say I was right about being able to coax her into a sip of mulled cider, or wine, or a nice winter ale, in celebration. Hmph.

SE

"...I implore you, I entreat you, I challenge you to speak with conviction, to say what you believe, in a manner that bespeaks the determination with which you believe it, because contrary to the wisdom of the bumper sticker, it is not enough these days to "question" authority, you have to speak with it, too." Taylor Mali, "Like, You Know?"

"Some people are born to make great art and others are born to appreciate it. It is a kind of talent in itself, to be an audience, whether you are the spectator in the gallery or you are listening to the voice of the world's greatest soprano. Not everyone can be the artist. There have to be those who witness the art, who love and appreciate what they have been privileged to see." -- Ann Patchett in Bel Canto.